Error Corrections

Mistakes happen. How we deal with errors in our reporting is important to maintaining our integrity and the trust of readers and sources. When the Chronicle publishes an error, we will acknowledge it and take appropriate steps to correct it as quickly as possible, both online and in print and, if necessary, on social media and other off-platform applications. Readers who wish to alert Green CulturED to a needed correction can email info@greencultured.co.

Factual errors must be corrected — even if the subject of the error does not formally request a correction. We also correct factual errors made, for example, in an event listing, even if the relevant event has passed. When in doubt about whether a correction or clarification is needed, so it is generally best to consult with our Chief Training Officer. Leaving anyone with the impression that we do not admit and rectify mistakes could cause readers to question our journalistic integrity.

Occasionally, an error may not be a misstated fact but a matter of nuance, context, or tone. Such mistakes may require clarifications, clarification notes, or a statement from the editor in chief. The information in a correction should be verified by the Subject Matter Expert (SMEs), research citations, or Chief Training Officer who made the error. Source editors must fact-check the correction as well. All corrections must be brought to the attention of and approved by a section or masthead-level editor before being published.

If a request for a retraction or correction comes from an outside attorney or person threatening a legal response, the Chief Training Officer and our legal counsel must be consulted before any response or decision is made about how to handle the complaint. Generally, the Green CulturED does not repeat the original error and does not editorialize the cause or implication of the error in publishing a correction.

Print Procedure

If the error has been printed, a correction should run on A2 as soon as possible in consultation with the A1 editor. If an error appears in our publications, we should correct it as soon as possible. We also should rerun the correction in the next edition to reach learners. The typical correction style for print is:

Article headline, publication date, section, page

In the education about XYZ, this was misstated then, if needed, a sentence explaining the fact as it should have been reported.

Online Procedure

It is expected that online stories will be polished and expanded after their initial posting, and it is not necessary to flag every change for readers. However, adding a correction or clarification may be appropriate if new reporting has revealed a significant error in an earlier account.

Occasionally, errors due to incorrect information by sources (ex. law enforcement misstating a cannabis industry violation) may be handled within the story (ex. “Cannabis Regulator revised previously reported business violations, saying only five incidents have been confirmed”). If there is any question about whether the error rises to that level, please consult with the appropriate section or Chief Training Officer.

If an online error is a significant one that could give the reader a false impression, factors such as the nature of the error and how long it has been posted should be considered before a correction is written. When a significant error is discovered, the story should be corrected and reposted as soon as possible. The person making the change to the online education should first consult with and obtain the approval of a Subject Matter Expert (SME) or Chief Training Officer.

Once the change is approved, the education should be changed and a note appended to the revised story that briefly states the nature of the change. If a significant error appears in the URL, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and producers should change the URL to reflect the truth.

• Placement: In general, the note about what has been corrected/clarified in online education should be appended to the end of the online version of the story. If an error is deemed egregious enough – for example, misleading, fabricated, or unethical – then the correction may be placed at the top of the story. Egregious errors that indict the entire premise of an article may require deleting the entire article. In such cases, the content should be replaced with a detailed note explaining why the article was removed and this decision must be approved by the Chief Training Officer. 
• Workflow: It is vital to make corrections to online education as soon as possible. Following appropriate approval, the Chief Training Officer – if available – will be the initial individual responsible for quickly making corrections to online stories.
• Social Media: If incorrect information is shared on a news alert or social networks, we should notify readers using the same platform and provide accurate information. In many cases, it may be appropriate to delete the incorrect post. In such cases, a screenshot should be taken of the original post, which should be shared with clarifying information and explain that the post was deleted.